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Topic: Pondus' TT SanctuaryPosted By: Pondus
Subject: Pondus' TT Sanctuary
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 11:12am
I have from time to time been asked to show pictures of my blades collection, but I have never gotten around to taking any photos... until now. At our house, I've somehow managed to convince my wife to have my own personal area - a "man cave" some would call it. I call it my "TT Sanctuary". It's my own little world of table tennis. Here are some pictures - enjoy:
This is the playing area. I got Gerflor put in (again, not sure how I convinced the wife). I wish I could spend more time with the robot, but that's unfortunately not going to happen anytime soon as I have a 1-year old daughter and a 3-year old daughter. On the wall outside of the playing area is where I keep the majority of my blades collection.
Adjacent to the playing area I have my little TT Work Shop. This is where I fix, glue and cut blades, rubbers and all that good stuff. This is also where I have my TT Apparel stashed.
I have even more stuff stashed away in a garage, believe it or not.
Please note that NONE OF MY STUFF IS AVAILABLE FOR SALE OR TRADE, so please don't bother sending me PMs or ask questions in this thread related to such.
I don't have a list of my blades collection, but if I get around to making one at some point I'll make sure to publish it here. Also, I don't know exactly how many blades I have. I counted them about a year or so ago, and I think it was about 400. But again, I'm not sure how many I have now, since I've given some away, sold some, and, yes, acquired new ones.
If you have any other questions, please let me know.
Replies: Posted By: Ciprian
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 11:17am
That's an awesome cave.
------------- Xi Enting FH-Aurus Sound BH- Pryde 30
Posted By: BRS
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 11:17am
This is both completely ridiculous and amazingly beautiful at the same time. Thanks for sharing the pics!
Posted By: Antuan
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 11:21am
Simply amazing. Best collection ever.
Congrats!!!
------------- http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=59801&title" rel="nofollow - My Collection http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=59550&title" rel="nofollow - My Feedback
Posted By: Reinecke
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 11:29am
I see this room and I
How long have you been working on your collection?
------------- Mizutani Jun ST Tenergy 64 Tenergy 64
Posted By: Imago
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 11:33am
Oh, now I understand why this is in the Video section.
My imagination fails to picture this room if you'll be blessed with a third daughter...
Posted By: AMonteiro
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 11:55am
Posted By: in2spin
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 12:05pm
truly amazing
my sanctuary is a couple of drawers
:)
Posted By: cmetsbeltran15
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 12:12pm
my dream is to have a sanctuary of half this quality at some point in my life
Posted By: Roger Stillabower
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 12:18pm
This is just Beautiful, I could not even dream this. You are a true Table Tennis enthusiast.
------------- Shifter
Posted By: Wyo
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 12:18pm
what an incredible set up/collection. I am in awe.
Posted By: slevin
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 12:41pm
Amazing!
You just made a whole bunch of us feel less guilty about our TT expenditures all of a sudden
BTW: where did you buy Gerflor in the US & how much does it cost for an area enough for 1 table play? Out here, I've seen some non-branded red floor (from China) that a few clubs around me use but I'm curious about the real thing. Also, what's underneath it (wood or concrete?)
Posted By: Timo1978
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 12:57pm
Congratulation Pondus. This is an amazing place to be. To be honest what amazes me most is the room and your love for the Details. Obviously the perfect place for a tt-enthusiast. Not to Forget the amazing blades collection but i have to admit that i expected and assumed you have much hidden gems to admire. Perfect, I bow down
------------- http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=61541&title=feedback-timo1978" rel="nofollow - My Feedback
Posted By: JonathanVN
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 1:04pm
This is absolutely crazy. I have a local friend who calls his basement the "pingpongatorium," but that is nothing compared to this incredible display! Well done, sire! Well done.
Posted By: Timo1978
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 1:09pm
Pondus, do you have a "Special" insurance for your sanctuary? When i look at the blades i think i can estimate the worth, so it is a Kind of "treasure" TT-Sanctuary/Cave...
------------- http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=61541&title=feedback-timo1978" rel="nofollow - My Feedback
Posted By: suds79
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 1:13pm
So many questions here. I'll start with this one.
How does the conversation go when you want to buy another blade?
Pondus - Honey, there's a new blade I'm thinking of picking up. It's only $135 this time.
Mrs Pondus - ......
Just fill in the blank. How does that go?
Posted By: tiehwen
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 3:48pm
you're incurable.
------------- http://mytabletennis.net/Forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17089" rel="nofollow - I love & am inspired by Malala Yousufzai's "True & Tough" LIFE STORY
Posted By: JimT
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 5:00pm
That is ...frigging ridiculous. In the best possible meaning of that word.
There are clubs that have less playing space than you do, my friend. Your wife is a saint. How I wish we could trade... and I do not mean blades.
Maybe in a couple of years, when you start training your older daughter, your wife will see how this finally pays off . Or not...
Btw, what is the footage of that basement? and do you plan to hold USATT-rated tournaments there in the nearest future?
------------- Single Ply Hinoki Club, Founding Member
Say "no!" to expensive table tennis equipment. Please...
Posted By: liulin04
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 5:08pm
I want to have a tour of this awesome man cave!
------------- http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35056&PN=14&title=feedback-liulin04" rel="nofollow - My Feedbacks
Posted By: vutiendat1337
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 5:14pm
oh my gooood Pondus, you are officially my idol
------------- bty petr korbel st fh: donic bluefire red bh: dawei iqul black USATT:1811 http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40320&title=feedbackvutiendat1337" rel="nofollow - Feedback me
Posted By: jt99sf
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 5:18pm
Speechless.
------------- Photino/Super Viscaria : H3 (FH)/Dr N pips(BH)
林德成 HardBat:Hock 3-Ply /Dr Evil
Posted By: jabemu
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 5:52pm
Wow!!!!
I imagined a large collection .. but this collection is really awesome!!!
I know some of those blades
Congratulations!!, I would pay a ticket to see the collection!
Posted By: NextLevel
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 6:34pm
Clearly makes good money..
------------- https://youtu.be/jhO4K_yFhh8?t=115" rel="nofollow - I like putting heavy topspin on the ball... Cybershape Carbon FH/BH: H3P 41D. Lumberjack TT, not for lovers of beautiful strokes. No time to train...
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 6:48pm
good for you you have a supportive wife! nice blades! those banda waldners are a treasure trove!
------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS
Posted By: smackman
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 7:09pm
Very nice setup and great collection
When I asked my wife she bought me a table tennis shop
------------- Ulmo Duality,Donic BlueGrip C2 red max ,Yinhe Super Kim Ox Black NZ table tennis selector, third in the World (plate Doubles)I'm Listed on the ITTF website
Posted By: Rich215
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 8:35pm
nice finish Rene....love the junk blades just thrown in the lower drawers haaaaaa
-------------
Posted By: Pushdeep
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 10:11pm
I have a question. What's your rating?
Posted By: jt99sf
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 11:00pm
Pushdeep wrote:
I have a question. What's your rating?
I think he means credit rating...
------------- Photino/Super Viscaria : H3 (FH)/Dr N pips(BH)
林德成 HardBat:Hock 3-Ply /Dr Evil
Posted By: haggisv
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 11:32pm
Awesome looking room Pondus!!! I bet you spend a lot of time just sitting there, enjoying the view!
Posted By: tiehwen
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 11:34pm
I think our dear comrade fellow moths-lover, pondus, deserves to be CEO of Moth-Viscaria Club needs some kinda special counseling....urgently. Some might ask whether he has "Life"....
------------- http://mytabletennis.net/Forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17089" rel="nofollow - I love & am inspired by Malala Yousufzai's "True & Tough" LIFE STORY
Posted By: jrscatman
Date Posted: 04/29/2014 at 11:43pm
standing
2 Questions:
Where in the world is this sanctuary?
The blade collection - any particular types or just everything!
Posted By: kolevtt
Date Posted: 04/30/2014 at 4:46am
Amazing collection! I suppose it is very hard to choose just one of them for favorite
Posted By: Magic_M
Date Posted: 04/30/2014 at 12:35pm
I have noticed this thread yesterday, but I could not answer immediately, because I needed nearly one day, to recover me from this shock. In the first moment I thought I would be dead, because this must be the heaven. When I waked up this morning and felt my bones, I realized, that I am still alive. I am still quite nervous and studying the flight-plans, but at least I am able to reply, what I feel:
Pondus, you are incredible.
What an amazing place !!!
I envy you.
If I had such a room, I would not need any more holiday-trip. Just sitting there with a cup of coffee (or a bottle of bear) and looking around satisfied. But what a pity: our house is too small for such a room, and my collection is quite small, compared with yours.
------------- http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=51774&title=feedback-magic-m" rel="nofollow - My Feedback
Posted By: Ross Leidy
Date Posted: 04/30/2014 at 2:40pm
------------- Ross
http://rossleidy.com - http://rossleidy.com - Handcrafted Table Tennis Blades
Posted By: blitzen
Date Posted: 04/30/2014 at 2:51pm
When I saw this, I immediately thought of Imelda Marcos and her shoe collection.
Posted By: Pondus
Date Posted: 04/30/2014 at 4:34pm
You guys are funny! And trust me, I know it's pretty ridiculous myself.
I appreciate all the nice comments - thank you very much.
I see quite a few questions have popped up, so I'll try to answer them in order:
—
Reinecke asked:How long have you been working on your collection?
Answer: Believe it or not, but I didn't start collecting blades until the spring of 2012. I had been entirely gone from table tennis for many years, and as I was getting back into it, I started looking around to see if I could find a Stiga Offensive Wood / Kjell Johansson because I remember thinking that was the coolest blade as a kid, but my parents unfortunately thought it was too expensive to buy for me. When I managed to acquire such a blade, then, well, one thing let to another…. and many many many blades later, here I am.
—
Ray asked:And your favourite blade is?
Answer: Hmmm… that’s a difficult question to answer. There are a couple that are probably the most special to me, but not because of how they play. More so because of what they represent from my time growing up as a kid playing TT. The Stiga Offensive Wood (Kjell Johansson) as mentioned above is certainly one of them. Another blade is Butterfly Jaques Secretin, as this was my first “real” blade as a kid. I also have soft spot for Banda blades, as I remember Waldner as a young wunder-kid from the other side of the border, and seeing him with all his Banda gear made me want to have Banda stuff too. There was a small Banda shop in the city I grew up in (long gone, of course), and I still remember the first time I entered that shop. I probably had a feeling similar to that of most 6-year girls when they enter Disney World for the first time.
—
Slevin asked:Where did you buy Gerflor in the US & how much does it cost for an area enough for 1 table play?
Answer: I bought the Gerflor directly from Gerflor USA (here’s a link to what I got: http://www.gerflorusa.com/commercial-flooring/product-page/taraflex-tennis-table,102.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.gerflorusa.com/commercial-flooring/product-page/taraflex-tennis-table,102.html ). Very nice and helpful people. The red Gerflor was about $3K and additional cost for installation (pretty crazy the way they put it in with gluing and welding the seams). The rest of this entire area actually also has Gerflor, just in a light gray color instead of red, so I don't know how much installation for just the playing area would cost. Below the Gerflor flooring is solid concrete and a layer of some sort of padding.
—
Fatt asked:Is that a wine cellar, a stereo system or a blade dehumidifier?
Answer: LOL - yes, it’s a custom built blade dehumidifier!!! Ha, no, it’s just a regular small fridge with a glass door. I like to keep some cold drinks ready for when I do have time to sweat a little.
—
Fatt asked:Is there a way we can visit and have tt practice time in exchange for a good bottle?
Answer: Of course. Anytime. Well, assuming I’m home, of course. And perhaps I would also need a bit of clarification on what you mean by “we”. And no good bottle required.
—
Timo1978 asked:Do you have a "Special" insurance for your sanctuary?
Answer: That’s a good question, Sir. As there is quite a bit of value there, it is listed as a uniquely specified section on our home-owner’s insurance. So, I guess the answer is 'yes’.
—
Suds79 asked:How does the conversation go with your wife when you want to buy another blade?
Answer: LOL - yeah, I think all blade collectors and EJs know how horribly their significant others can react when they get yet another piece of seemingly unnecessary TT equipment. Honestly, I think my wife has just given up hope for me at this point. I don’t even tell her - and she doesn’t ask.
—
JimT Asked:What is the footage of that basement?
Answer: It’s not actually the basement of our house, per say. It’s a separate buildout the original owner of the house had done for a wood-shop and storage of a boat in the winter, I believe. When we bought the house it was all just one big room. All concrete - ceiling, walls, and floor, with no windows. We then had it outfitted with separating walls to create individual rooms, and a furnace/AC unit so control the air in there. This actually makes it pretty good for storing TT blades, as I can easily control the temperature and humidity level (since there are no windows). So now there is the playing area, the wall with all the blades and such, the TT work-shop, and a third workout room that has various exercise machines and a big flatscreen TV to run TT flicks on. The total size of this place is 1000 Square Feet.
—
JimT asked:Do you plan to hold USATT-rated tournaments there in the nearest future?
Answer: Hahaha. No, but funny you should ask though. I did actually at one point think about creating my own private USATT-affiliated club there, but in looking into the requirement for new clubs I quickly realized (and understandably so) that one of top priorities for new clubs is to be open to any and all new members and put a lot of focus on attracting them. Obviously, that’s not really what I would want at my house, so I decided against that idea.
—
Pushdeep asked:What's your rating?
Answer: Not that high anymore. Well, I guess everything is relative. I think I have a USATT rating of 2140 or so right now (I'd have to look it up to be 100% sure exactly what it is). Having taken many years “off” from the game (about 20 years) and having gotten older and sadly gained a lot of weight, I’m just not anywhere as good as I used to be. Also, as I mentioned in my opening post, I have two very young daughters that take up pretty much the majority of my spare time - which I don't have that much of to begin with, as I have a fairly demanding work situation. I get to play once a week, perhaps twice once in a blue moon, but I also frequently will go several weeks without playing at all. And when I play, I usually just play a couple of matches at a local club, so I never practice (haven’t done that in over 20 years). I used to be a Cadet and Junior National Team member though, with a rating somewhere around 2500, I would guess. (I didn't grow up in the US, so I didn't have a USATT rating back then).
—
Jrscatman asked:Where in the world is this sanctuary?
Answer: Not sure I should throw my address out there, but if you want to swing by just send me a PM.
—
Jrscatman asked: The blade collection - any particular types or just everything?
Answer: I'm sort of an an “emotional collector” when it comes to blades, so I get blades that either hold some sort of sentimental value for me (i.e. blades I remember from growing up playing in the 80s and 90s), or blades that I just find visually interesting. I don't really collect so much as it relates to specific value, so I don't have many blades from the 60s and before that, for example). All my blades are Shakehand blades, and the majority have straight or conic handles, but I obviously (as you can see) have some of everything handle-wise.
—
Let me know if there are any other questions.
Posted By: vutiendat1337
Date Posted: 04/30/2014 at 4:40pm
what kind job do i need to score in order to build this kick ass collection and pingpong shangri-la
------------- bty petr korbel st fh: donic bluefire red bh: dawei iqul black USATT:1811 http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40320&title=feedbackvutiendat1337" rel="nofollow - Feedback me
Posted By: Roger Stillabower
Date Posted: 04/30/2014 at 5:03pm
Did you design this your self, or did you have some input from some one else ? The attention to detail is out standing.
------------- Shifter
Posted By: jrscatman
Date Posted: 04/30/2014 at 5:04pm
Thanks for answering the questions. In terms of location I was thinking in terms of USA - West Coast, MidWest etc - nothing specific.
Another question: What would you like to improve on the current setup. I would think maybe higher ceiling. Anything else you would do to make it better.
Posted By: TonyL
Date Posted: 04/30/2014 at 5:20pm
What do you do for a living that can make you afford this sanctuary, and can I join?
What'd I do for one of those blades, let alone that many.
Posted By: kolevtt
Date Posted: 04/30/2014 at 5:55pm
TonyL wrote:
What do you do for a living that can make you afford this sanctuary, and can I join?
What'd I do for one of those blades, let alone that many.
When you receive the answer...just count me in too Rene's collection is a dream.... He is the real sample that sometimes somewhere someone makes his own dreams to come true
Posted By: jabemu
Date Posted: 04/30/2014 at 6:42pm
I have been 3 times in the USA for working and seen the interesting tipical places: Manhatan, Niagara Falls, Statue of Liberty, etc.
Next time I would like to visit a more important place...the sanctuary of Pondus
Two questions:
-Are you repaired personally some blades?, I see a little workshop in the pics of the sanctuary.
-Do you know why your favourite blade (stiga off johansson tranas black lenses) have a "2" in the handle?
Posted By: emihet
Date Posted: 04/30/2014 at 11:06pm
tastefully done! Rene fall is approaching soon!
------------- Viscaria, Ma Long 5, Old Clippers, BTY Ovtcharov and Various Custom blades
Posted By: GeneralSpecific
Date Posted: 04/30/2014 at 11:29pm
My heart is racing!
------------- Blade - Xiom 36.5 ALX FL Forehand - Xiom Omega V Asia 2.0mm Backhand - Victas Curl P5V with Der Materialspezialist Firestorm Soft/Outkill 1.8mm sponge
Posted By: eonblue
Date Posted: 05/01/2014 at 1:06am
For comparison https://www.dropbox.com/s/xmm89c1z10xne1n/2014-04-25%2018.23.31.jpg" rel="nofollow - here I thought I had something special but for now on I'll just call it "Eonblue's TT Slum". Cost me around $500. Just flooded too. What you have here is amazing, similar to a dream I had before it was crushed by https://www.dropbox.com/s/07qzeqax10jfkod/2014-02-13%2000.04.08.jpg" rel="nofollow - reality .
------------- Michael Maze ALC Volt-T/Volt-M
Posted By: Pondus
Date Posted: 05/01/2014 at 6:59am
vutiendat1337 wrote:
what kind job do i need to score in order to build this kick ass collection and pingpong shangri-la
TonyL wrote:
What do you do for a living that can make you afford this sanctuary, and can I join?
Hahahaha...
Posted By: Pondus
Date Posted: 05/01/2014 at 7:01am
emihet wrote:
...fall is approaching soon!
I know
Posted By: TonyL
Date Posted: 05/01/2014 at 7:11am
Pondus wrote:
vutiendat1337 wrote:
what kind job do i need to score in order to build this kick ass collection and pingpong shangri-la
TonyL wrote:
What do you do for a living that can make you afford this sanctuary, and can I join?
Hahahaha...
Serious question.
What are you going to do with all, if not most of your collection when you grow older?
Will it be an inheritance to your children, or will you retire and open up a table tennis shop?
Posted By: ZApenholder
Date Posted: 05/01/2014 at 7:17am
Having to see Pondus, I think all other collectors are nothing!! This is only 2 years of "collection".....imagine 10 years, or 20 years....
lol Pondus, if I can squeeze in USA in my NA visit, I defiantly must come and visit this POI :) Well done buddy, and congrats for having such a wonderful understanding wife :)
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 05/01/2014 at 7:59am
Pondus, what did you feed your wife with in order for her to agree with all this? or you bought her lots of expensive stuff too hehe
------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS
Posted By: shaibu
Date Posted: 05/02/2014 at 1:22am
Ok - I'm going to be a party pooper. Pondus, you've said that you only have time to play ~once a week. On the other hand - you've bought ~500 blades in 2 years - so your buying rate is ~5 blades/week. Doesn't quite compute, does it? It would take you 10 years just to play one session with each one of the blades you already own. This just seems totally silly to me.
Posted By: stiltt
Date Posted: 05/02/2014 at 1:40am
Hey i was only trying to be funny
Let's not forget he probably plays with the same blade at the club and maybe only tests the collectible on the robot.
Let's keep in mind a collector does not necessarily act rationally...it's a passion.
Posted By: emihet
Date Posted: 05/02/2014 at 2:53am
well something is wrong... i saw it twice and now i found myself looking at the collection the 3rd time
------------- Viscaria, Ma Long 5, Old Clippers, BTY Ovtcharov and Various Custom blades
Posted By: Timo1978
Date Posted: 05/02/2014 at 3:12am
emihet wrote:
well something is wrong... i saw it twice and now i found myself looking at the collection the 3rd time
HaHa, do not worry Emihet, you are not the only one and i guess you will return again and again...If that continues i will know Pondus sanctuary better than my own room
With every visit i find some Details i must have somehow overseen at my latest visits...
------------- http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=61541&title=feedback-timo1978" rel="nofollow - My Feedback
Posted By: kakapo
Date Posted: 05/02/2014 at 11:53am
WOaWwwwwwwww !!!!!
René, I knew you had some stuff but that is beyond all my expectations:))
All these, banda dacota, Dynapower.....amazing collection and amazing room to practice.
Congratulations
Posted By: kakapo
Date Posted: 05/02/2014 at 1:10pm
I'm glued on my screen
Posted By: Pondus
Date Posted: 05/05/2014 at 9:58am
TonyL asked:What are you going to do with all, if not most of your collection when you grow older? Will it be an inheritance to your children, or will you retire and open up a table tennis shop?
Answer: Honestly, I haven't thought about it. I guess I'll have to see when I get that old.
—
ZApenholder said:Pondus, if I can squeeze in USA in my NA visit, I defiantly must come and visit this POI.
Reply: Sounds good, ZAP - I'd love to have you come by.
—
Yogi_Bear asked:Pondus, what did you feed your wife with in order for her to agree with all this?
Answer: LOL.
—
Rich215 asked:Do the super cool furry stools have memory foam under the covering?
Answer: They don’t.
—
Fatt said:Ok i hope it does not sound jealous or negative in any way and here is my question: mmmhhh… forget about it i won't be a party pooper.
Reply: Bring it.
—
Shaibu said:Ok - I'm going to be a party pooper. Pondus, you've said that you only have time to play ~once a week. On the other hand - you've bought ~500 blades in 2 years - so your buying rate is ~5 blades/week. Doesn't quite compute, does it? It would take you 10 years just to play one session with each one of the blades you already own. This just seems totally silly to me.
Reply: You're right, Shaibu, it is indeed silly. But the thing is, I simply collect the blades because it is fun for me. I don't intend to actually play with all of them. The vast majority of the blades I've collected, I’ve never played with (and don't plan on doing so). It’s sort of like people that collect stamps - they do it because they enjoy collecting them, not because they're looking to mail out a ton of letters.
Posted By: beeray1
Date Posted: 05/05/2014 at 10:04am
Pondus wrote:
It’s sort of like people that collect stamps - they do it because they enjoy collecting them, not because they’re looking mail out a ton of letters.
I like that analogy a lot for some reason.
Posted By: Pushdeep
Date Posted: 05/05/2014 at 10:11am
Did you recently win the lotto or sold a surprise valuable antique that's been sitting in your attic? 2 Years to accumulate a collection seems sudden.
Posted By: Pondus
Date Posted: 05/05/2014 at 10:21am
Pushdeep wrote:
Did you recently win the lotto or sold a surprise valuable antique that's been sitting in your attic? 2 Years to accumulate a collection seems sudden.
Ha.. I wish. No, I simply came back to TT after being more or less gone from it for about 20 years. And with the Internet and Forums and stuff like that, I was quickly lured in by pictures of other people's collections and such. I went a little crazy at first, but I basically don't buy many blades anymore. Once in awhile something special will catch my eye, but other than that I've chilled out quite a bit.
Posted By: slevin
Date Posted: 05/05/2014 at 10:42am
errrmmmm..., not impressed at all Pondus.
Where's your collection of robots???
Just kidding!!! I've just nominated your basement as one of the 7 wonders of the table tennis world!
Posted By: BH-Man
Date Posted: 05/05/2014 at 11:12am
Absolut WUNDERBAR.
------------- Korea Foreign Table Tennis Club
Search for us on Facebook: koreaforeignttc
Posted By: liulin04
Date Posted: 05/05/2014 at 11:13am
Rene, I showed your sanctuary to one of my friends yesterday who also knows Hercules. He said Hercules' collection is huge already. When he saw all of the blades that you have, and the short stories of the individual blades, origins, etc., that I narrated, the only words that came out of his mouth were, "Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, ...., wow"
You get the picture...
------------- http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35056&PN=14&title=feedback-liulin04" rel="nofollow - My Feedbacks
Posted By: LOOPMEISTER
Date Posted: 05/05/2014 at 4:37pm
-------------
Posted By: sandiway
Date Posted: 05/06/2014 at 1:27pm
Pondus,
So now there is the playing area, the wall with all the blades and such, the TT work-shop, and a third workout room that has various exercise machines and a big flatscreen TV to run TT flicks on. The total size of this place is 1000 Square Feet.
Your collection is certainly something very special but I'm actually more interested in the playing area. (I also have a playing area in my house. I have some custom features but I don't have GerFlor.) What are the dimensions of the area Width X Length X Height?
Thanks very much.
Sandiway
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 05/06/2014 at 6:52pm
beeray1 wrote:
Pondus wrote:
It’s sort of like people that collect stamps - they do it because they enjoy collecting them, not because they’re looking mail out a ton of letters.
I like that analogy a lot for some reason.
it's like having so many mistresses too or you can call this a harem?
------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS
Posted By: ttTurkey
Date Posted: 05/07/2014 at 7:31am
Wow, if someone just showed me those pictures I would have guessed that it's either a really tidy table tennis shop or a table tennis museum.
Posted By: benfb
Date Posted: 05/16/2014 at 3:07am
Just curious: how come you don't have a huge collection of rubbers on display?
Posted By: Pondus
Date Posted: 05/16/2014 at 10:24am
benfb wrote:
Just curious: how come you don't have a huge collection of rubbers on display?
Because I don't collect rubbers. Or balls. Or edge-tape. Or net-height-rulers...
Posted By: benfb
Date Posted: 05/16/2014 at 1:29pm
Pondus wrote:
benfb wrote:
Just curious: how come you don't have a huge collection of rubbers on display?
Because I don't collect rubbers. Or balls. Or edge-tape. Or net-height-rulers...
I think you should collect balls. Small, interesting set of variety.
Posted By: Pondus
Date Posted: 05/16/2014 at 2:34pm
benfb wrote:
Pondus wrote:
benfb wrote:
Just curious: how come you don't have a huge collection of rubbers on display?
Because I don't collect rubbers. Or balls. Or edge-tape. Or net-height-rulers...
I think you should collect balls. Small, interesting set of variety.
Nah... collecting balls is for Stanislaw Schmidt.
See his collection here: http://www.tischtennisbaelle.org/english" rel="nofollow - http://www.tischtennisbaelle.org/english
Posted By: benfb
Date Posted: 05/16/2014 at 2:42pm
Wow! I had no idea.
I could, by the way, imagine someone collecting robots. A little expensive, but there aren't that many varieties and they all have interesting mechanics and features. It would be like people who collect cars or tractors.
And it would really seem that rubbers should be collected by someone. That would seem to me to be similar to collecting blades.
Oh, and someone should collect table tennis memorabilia as it relates to entertainment -- mainly use in the movies, but possibly in music too. I do have a whole bunch of stuff from the release of Balls of Fury.
Posted By: W0LovePP
Date Posted: 05/28/2014 at 11:01pm
Are you still collecting, slowing down, or stop completely?
------------- Yasaka Galaxya
Butterfly Amultart SI
Posted By: Pondus
Date Posted: 05/29/2014 at 8:17am
W0LovePP wrote:
Are you still collecting, slowing down, or stop completely?
I've slowed down considerably... I only get something if it's really unique as far as what I'm looking for. I think I've gotten less than 10 blades this year - and "gotten rid" of more than that.
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: 05/29/2014 at 9:11am
Some minutes ago I saw your thread for the first time
Posted By: jt99sf
Date Posted: 05/29/2014 at 12:19pm
Pondus wrote:
W0LovePP wrote:
Are you still collecting, slowing down, or stop completely?
I've slowed down considerably... I only get something if it's really unique as far as what I'm looking for. I think I've gotten less than 10 blades this year - and "gotten rid" of more than that.
I'd like to see your blade box collection !!
------------- Photino/Super Viscaria : H3 (FH)/Dr N pips(BH)
林德成 HardBat:Hock 3-Ply /Dr Evil
Posted By: Pondus
Date Posted: 05/29/2014 at 12:36pm
jt99sf wrote:
I'd like to see your blade box collection !!
LOL - yeah, I have A LOT of boxes... all stored away in storage.
Posted By: speedy
Date Posted: 06/07/2014 at 10:36am
Pondus,
I had 300+ blades at one time, and I thought I was sick. Also, I have seen many many collections over the years, and nobody comes close to what you have here. You have the most "complete" collection of table tennis equipment ever, blades, rubbers, table, shoes, shirts, short, robot, etc... and most importantly, a room dedicated for table tennis. The only thing you don't have is a picture of Speedy on your wall, just kidding... but, it's not a bad idea. You might want to collect some pictures of the members of this forum and put them in that room to show the friendship that you also collected over the years.
I usually don't comment on anyone's collection, but this one is too much. I almost cry because I am so happy for you .
I just want to say this: You are officially the SICKEST table tennis EJ in the world (It's a compliment from Speedy himself)
AWESOME COLLECTION!!!
------------- SPEEDY Viscaria Super ALC ST JOOLA Rhyzen CMD(FH) Nittaku Moristo SP (BH)
Posted By: takethat
Date Posted: 06/07/2014 at 4:04pm
Second story bastard, hate him.Must say at least I have more shoes.Take that.
------------- sharkcard
Posted By: zzzuppp
Date Posted: 06/07/2014 at 4:21pm
OK the time has come to ask the question in the back of people's minds.
Maybe I'm being impolite, but how the hell did you get the money to buy all that, and have a tolerating family?
Posted By: acid
Date Posted: 06/28/2014 at 7:59pm
Unbelievable .....
Very nice colletion ... Well done !
Posted By: GwaiLo
Date Posted: 06/29/2014 at 2:27pm
My commute to the nearest club is ten minutes and I thought I was pretty close! With this setup yours must be around thirty seconds? Honestly, when I saw your line-up of butterfly timo boll blades I was blown away, the colors are amazing.
------------- Blade: Butterfly Photino
FH: Tenergy 05
BH: Tenergy 64
Posted By: mahomedy13
Date Posted: 11/09/2014 at 1:32pm
the first time my eyes have seen such a thing and...WOW!!!
I would love to come to your house just to have a physical look
Posted By: JonathanVN
Date Posted: 11/09/2014 at 10:42pm
mahomedy13 wrote:
the first time my eyes have seen such a thing and...WOW!!!
I would love to come to your house just to have a physical look
Yeah Pondus's TT Sanctuary is one of the seven wonders of the modern world...
Posted By: kakapo
Date Posted: 01/30/2015 at 12:44pm
René has not logged in since the 26th of November.
I really hope everything is right with him !!!
------------- Def play grey grip 94gr, Venus 2 blue 2,2, Neubauer KO extreme 1,3mm
Posted By: Pondus
Date Posted: 02/25/2015 at 12:26pm
I'm good, thanks.
However, sadly, my little "Table Tennis Sanctuary" doesn't exist any longer. My family and I sold that house to move across the country, and the people that bought the house ripped out the red Gerflor and such. So, I'm happy I took these pictures, so I can look back at a fun little cave I had. Our new house is much smaller, so there's no room for anything like this. In fact, I haven't played any TT since... over a year ago, think — and all my stuff is just packed up in boxes at the moment.
Hope everyone here is doing great. :)
Posted By: kakapo
Date Posted: 02/25/2015 at 1:27pm
I'm happy to hear something from you René.
Well, ....that makes a lot of packages for the blades only :)))
These blades should be crying, locked in their small boxes....
Sooner or later, you will be back and playing TT again.
------------- Def play grey grip 94gr, Venus 2 blue 2,2, Neubauer KO extreme 1,3mm
Posted By: CraneStyle
Date Posted: 02/25/2015 at 1:30pm
Wow!... We all have events that remind us that we also live in this world...
The photos of your awesome sanctuary have set "The Standard" and remain imprinted in my mind forever...
Legendary...
------------- 1. Mizutani Jun ZLC, FH T80, BH T05
Posted By: Tiggs
Date Posted: 02/26/2015 at 10:24am
Rene' last time you played you were having trouble with the knee. How's that coming along.. Winter misses you in Michigan.
Posted By: jabemu
Date Posted: 02/26/2015 at 2:11pm
Pondus wrote:
I'm good, thanks.
....
It is a great pity that the sanctuary doesn't exist more ...but the incredible collection is still with you
I hope all is ok with you and your family that is more important!